Gender Based Violence

The UNFPA representative is the Chair of the Gender Donor Roundtable as well as the United Nations Gender Thematic Group.

UNFPA works closely with various stakeholders such as the Gender Commission and the Ministry of Gender to develop a framework to address Gender Based Violence. Currently a joint proposal has been drafted and completed pending allocation of funding.

A Gender Sector Group has been set up and is chaired by the Minister in the Ministry of Gender. The minister also nominates membership to the consultative group.

UNFPA Successes in eliminating Gender Based Violence

An Alternative Rite of Passage Graduation Ceremony in progress

Alternative Rites of Passage (ARP): One of the UNFPA implementing partners, TNI, is using ARP as one of the interventions to eliminate FGC/FGM. These have been designed to offer the same instruction as FGC without the cut.  This is a culturally sensitive intervention and is culturally acceptable. In August and December 2004, 110 girls underwent Alternative Rites of Passage graduations during colorful ceremonies attended by the District Commissioner, District Council Members, local Chiefs, NGOs/CBOs, community members and UNFPA Representatives. These events were organized by TNI, which is a UNFPA implementing partner. At the ceremonies, the chiefs from other locations requested that the Initiative be extended to their areas.

Rescue Center: The TNI project has made a positive impact in rescuing girls from FGC/FGM and early marriages. TNI has a rescue center- Tasaru Rescue Center for Girls- built by TNI friends from V-Day in the USA. Currently the center is catering for over 50 girls in primary and secondary schools. In collaboration with the Provincial and District Administrations, other NGOs/CBOs, the Children Department in the Ministry of Gender, Sports, Culture and Social Services, and village elders, TNI reconciles the girls with their families and facilitates their re-integration into communities and back to school. This is a lengthy and delicate process, which requires a lot of time and commitment from players, thus necessitating the rescue center.

A nine year old girl at Tasaru rescue center.

Income Generating Activities: TNI with support from UNFPA has procured 2 tractors to to be used in wheat production. The funds generated from the wheat sales have been used to pay school fees for the girls staying at the rescue center while the reconciliation process is going on. This also includes subsidizing the costs of running the center. In addition, a Maize Grinding Mill has been purchased to offer an alternative source of income for a women’s group, which includes a few former circumcisers.

Laws/Bills/ Guidelines/Policies: FIDA has sensitised some members of parliament on pending gender related bills that are crucial to women’s advancement e.g. The Family Protection Bill. They have been sensitised on gender and women’s rights issues particularly on women’s reproductive health rights. FIDA has produced “Faces of Violence” a documentary that shows the forms in which violence manifests itself in Kenya i.e. sexual, physical, psychological and economic abuse. It also explores the common cultural practices that deny women and girls their fundamental rights and places them at risk of contacting AIDS. 

FIDA has also sensitised the local Chiefs, Police and the Paralegals on Gender Based Violence and women’s rights including women’s reproductive health rights. This was done so as to enhance their capacity to handle survivors of Gender Based Violence( GBV).  FIDA has also trained farmers in the Coast Province on GBV under Coast Development Authority Farmers Field schools. 

Jaribuni FFS-RH Group in Kilifi & visitors: In the background is the group office

UNFPA has supported the development of the Kenya National Guidelines on Management of post-rape and sexual violence, including HIV testing and counselling after the event and provision of PEP